Are grateful people happier? Is being grateful a key part to a more positive healthier life style? I tend to believe it does.
Think about it. Gratitude is a response to a gift. There is an old saying “be thankful for small mercies". Because of the wide range in the importance of gifts, there is, correspondingly, an equally wide range in levels of gratitude. For lesser gifts, such as a warm friendly hello to our neighbour, a simple expression of thanks is little more than a courtesy. But, the larger gifts like life itself, sacramental gifts, and good health, demand that gratitude includes far more than a gesture of courtesy. Sometimes it is easy to forget how "God provides" if we are too focused on others' blessings. This can be attributed to the current ‘Climate and Culture’ in which we are living. Prompting us to never be satisfied, to want more and more of what others have, and want it instantly. With so many temptations thrown in our path, it can be easy to lose perspective on our blessings, to forget that what God has already given us is more than adequate. As Christians, it is paramount that we live a life deep rooted in gratitude in order to grow in our faith.
In the story of the ten lepers (Luke 17:11-19), Jesus travelled between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a certain town, ten lepers implored him from an appropriate distance to have mercy on them. Jesus instructed them to go show themselves to the priests. This was not a cure but the promise of a cure. En route, while following the master's instruction, miraculous cures began to transpire. Only one of the ten, a Samaritan, returned to Jesus in thanksgiving and expressed gratitude. On prostrating himself at the feet of Jesus, the Samaritan heard him say to all present, "were not ten cleansed? where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except the foreigner" (Luke 17:17-18). From this story it is evident that gratitude pleases Jesus, while its absence hurts and offends.
To me gratitude is easy carried. I will always be grateful and show gratitude to anyone who shows kindness to me. The kind of gratitude that Jesus is hoping for is one that includes a bond of friendship and a commitment to service.
In 1863 during the American civil war, president Abraham Lincoln noted that America no longer seemed gratefully disposed to her Creator. In order to remind them of their need to thank God and re-establish their friendship with them, he proclaimed a national Day of "humiliation, fasting & prayer”. In that same day Lincoln stated that, although Americans had been the recipient's of the choicest bounties of heaven, they had forgotten God.
Lincoln's understanding of the importance of gratitude was profound. He understood without any doubt that a weakened relationship with God inevitably meant a weakened relationship with everyone else.
As we approach the season of Advent I'm recalling that someone once said that "Gratitude is the memory of the heart" . I love that. Therefore, it is safe to say that it is an expression of love and abiding friendship. Furthermore, gratitude is also an expression that soon transforms itself into deeds. Humility and restraint are just two appropriate ways in which we can express gratitude through our actions.
I believe, there can be no happiness without gratitude. We need to know who to thank for the gift of life. However, we must take it a step further and thank Him. I believe, the proper way to do this is to safeguard and cherish what we have been given.
Written by Karen Mitchell
